Loved by a Duke (The Heart of a Duke #4)(66)

Mother sank into the seat alongside her on the blue satin upholstered sofa. “I daresay you’d have more of a smile. This is to be after all, your wedding day.”

Daisy forced a smile.

If the marchioness detected the lack of sincerity to that expression of happiness, she gave no indication. “I always dreamed of a union between you and Auric,” she spoke in those deeply introspective tones.

As had she. Since she’d nearly burned down her parents’ table during a summer picnic. She’d just not allowed herself the real hope of that in these recent years, as with a woman’s jaded maturity she saw his interest reserved for another. Surely, you know I care about you… Whatever other words he’d have uttered had been cut into by her mother’s ill-timed appearance.

Daisy gave her head a clearing shake, shoving aside any misgivings. He’d not said as much with her mother’s sudden appearance, but she could not doubt that love would have driven his offer. She glanced over at the long-case clock, her stomach fluttering with excitement. Filled with a restless energy, she wandered over to the window and pulled back the curtain. She peered down into the quiet streets. He would arrive soon. In a short while, they would wed and all her hopes would be realized, and she’d no longer be invisible or lonely. They would have each other.

From the crystal pane of the window, she looked at her mother. The older-than-her-years marchioness cast an empty gaze about the room and then the ghost of a smile hovered on her lips as she confronted the dreams she’d once carried. “I imagined a grand ceremony for you and an extravagant breakfast with all the leading lords and ladies of Society present.” A prospect Daisy had shuddered with. “What are those?”

Daisy looked over her shoulder. “What is what?”

With a flick of her hand, Mother motioned to the butterfly combs artfully woven through Daisy’s dull, brown tresses that morning. “They are hair combs,” she said patiently, pretending to misunderstand.

“I see that.” Her mother wrinkled her nose. “I’d always imagined you in something a good deal more extravagant with diamonds and rubies.”

The earliest memories Daisy had of her mother, were of the woman resplendent in impeccable and expensive French fabrics, her neck dripping in glittering gemstones. How different she’d always been than her mother. “I adore these,” she said softly. They were not the grand pieces donned by those diamonds of the first water, but for what they represented—the first gift given her by Auric amidst the streets of London that had brought them together in the most meaningful ways—and for that they were more priceless than the Queen’s crown.

Her mother let out a little sigh. “I was so certain you were wrong and that Auric would desire a lavish ceremony befitting his rank.”

Then her mother didn’t know Auric in the intimate way Daisy had over the years. The man he’d become would have glowered away every last guest to assure his privacy.

A lone carriage rolled down the street and then that familiar, black conveyance rocked to a halt in front of her townhouse. “He is here.”

Her mother raced over to the window. “He is here?”

Daisy started not realizing she’d spoken aloud but remained with her gaze fixed upon Auric as he descended from the carriage.

“Release the curtain,” her mother admonished. “It will not do to be discovered studying him so brazenly.”

How many times had she been cowed by that stern frown? There had been a time Daisy would have lowered her head, humbled at those chiding words. Not any longer.

“Did you hear me, Daisy?”

Daisy ignored her. She trailed the tips of her fingertips over the glass, looking for the hint of hesitation she’d spied days ago in Auric’s ruggedly beautiful face. “I heard you, Mother.” There was none. His face was set in a hard mask. “A young lady would be granted such boldness upon her wedding day, surely.” He said something to his driver. The man nodded and rushed back to the carriage.

“Surely not,” her mother said with the shocked indignation of the proper lady she’d been. “Standing in the window, gaping down at him with anyone to see?” She launched into a diatribe about proper behavior and decorum. All in all, seven years too late. In the wake of Lionel’s death, her mother and father had ceased to see her, and their influence in her life had therefore ceased to matter. It had been no deliberate insult, merely her attempt at an emotional survival.

Daisy continued to watch him. He started forward, but then, as though he felt her stare upon him, froze mid-step. Auric glanced up and scanned the handful of windows of the townhouse, until his gaze found hers. Her heart started. She’d never been one of those ladies to fawn over fashion and yet, now wished she was draped in one of those elaborate satin gowns and not this modest blue dress selected for her wedding day. He squinted, peering up through eyes narrowed into thin slits and she fisted her blue satin skirts. What did he see when he looked at her? Then he shifted his attention to his cloak. She furrowed her brow in consternation as he rummaged through the front of his jacket and then he withdrew something. Warmth spiraled through her and a bark of laughter escaped her as he pressed a quizzing glass, the quizzing glass she’d given him, to his eye.

And she fell in love with him all over again.

She shook her head, laughter spilling past her lips. “You are incorrigible,” she mouthed.